Replies

1. 
   saschafer | Jun 11, 2008 08:36pm | #1

   This is at least the third question you've asked in this vein. What is your real question?

   -Steve

    

1. 
   sapling | Jun 11, 2008 11:38pm | #4

   i don't have as much experience as you guys. i was just wondering how their stuff ranks. they are highly sought after by architects and such. however, I was just curious to know what people in the trade think of them.

1. 
   saschafer | Jun 11, 2008 11:58pm | #6

   Okay, so you're real question is along these lines:

   "I'm just getting started in the business of furniture design and manufacturing, and trying to get an idea of what's out there in the marketplace. What's hot, what's not; what's good quality, what's junk. The products of these firms are highly sought after by architects and designers. I'd like to know the opinion of the members of this forum regarding the quality, aesthetics, etc. of these offerings. I'm particularly interested in hearing from those who are in the business of manufacturing similar kinds of products."

   Right?

   -Steve

    

1. 
   sapwood | Jun 12, 2008 12:00am | #7

   My, you certainly got a bee in your bonnet over this. Chill.....

1. 
   saschafer | Jun 12, 2008 12:05am | #8

   I'm just trying to understand where you're coming from. The way you originally posted the question, it was so vague and open-ended that it was not at all clear what you were looking for.

   If you want good information, you have to know how to ask good questions.

   -Steve

    

2. 
   sapling | Jun 13, 2008 12:35am | #10

   Thank you for your assistance. You articulated that much better than me. So, what's your answer?

3. 
   saschafer | Jun 13, 2008 07:38pm | #18

   Bearing in mind that I'm not in "the business," as it were, I can only give you my own personal opinion as to the styles, etc.

   BDDW: I agree with the others that the web site sucks. I have nothing against the idea of web sites as artistic expression, but I just don't understand why someone would do that for a business web site, where the main goal is to convey information, not demonstrate the cool tricks you can do with JavaScript and Flash.

   As for the furniture itself, it generally looks rather sterile, Modernism taken beyond its limit.

   City Joinery: Their stuff looks nicer, but somewhat uninspired, like off-the-rack amalgamations of Krenov, Nakashima, et al. They're trying hard, but most of the pieces seem to miss the mark somehow. (Unfortunately, it reminds me of many of my own attempts....)

   For furniture that's in a similar vein, but that more often hits the mark, I'd point to Ross Day: http://www.nwfinewoodworking.com/ross_day/

   -Steve

    

4. 
   AZMO | Jun 14, 2008 06:47am | #20

   Well, marketing is half woo woo and half luck. From what I can see of these firms they are plying the interior design/architect market. They are not advertising to the end buyer. The interior designer/architect like high list prices, they can buy at half price or so and sell at 10% below retail to give the client a break. Working in a similar market here in AZ it is pretty common practice. I saw a table that an interior designer brought in for 8500. The client was savy (or cheap depending on who you ask) and bought it for $4800 on line. Peolple with lots of money, often don't have time. They also like to say "Sandra" did my home you know. Placing yourself in this market is what it is all about. Talent and good product are not enough, essential yes, but you need some woo woo to get it going!

                      <!----><!----><!---->

   -----------_o

   ---------_'-,>

   -------(*)/ (*)   http://www.EarthArtLandscape.com

2. 
   Eef | Jun 11, 2008 09:23pm | #2

   sap,

   that first one you listed looks as though woody allen did the art direction...

   eef

1. 
   sapling | Jun 11, 2008 11:35pm | #3

   ha. good one. i know what you mean.

3. 
   sapwood | Jun 11, 2008 11:58pm | #5

   I'd seen some of the work of City Joinery, online, before. I admired the designs then and now. BDDW is new to me. I think some of their designs are nice also. Their use of large natural slabs is both apropos and easy... they don't try to go overboard with the supporting material, letting the slab be what it is, but, you know, making a great looking coffee table with a beautiful slab of wood is not all that difficult.

   I like their work... at least the images having never seen an actual piece. My own work is very contemporary, so it's nice to see pieces in the same genre.

   One more thought... their websites, especially bddw's, are very good.

1. 
   sapling | Jun 13, 2008 12:37am | #11

   thanks for your response. do you have a website? would be great to see your work.
   best,
   sap

1. 
   sapwood | Jun 13, 2008 03:28am | #15

   No website.I'm not giving you a hard time but it would be polite of you to voice your opinion, or at least some specific rational for your query.

4. 
   dkellernc | Jun 12, 2008 08:53pm | #9

   Well, bddw's website seriously sucks.  Making visitors click on at least three links to see their products is just plain bad web design, regardless of their furniture.

1. 
   sapling | Jun 13, 2008 12:39am | #12

   their tables go for 60K.
   they are doing something right.
   maybe you can redesign their site.
   best,
   sap

1. 
   mrfu | Jun 13, 2008 01:28am | #13

   Doesn't matter what their tables cost bddw's web site is bad, hard to navigate and some of the pictures are trying to be artistic but just don't cut it stylistically. There furniture has the same quality it sorta sleek and contemporary in a woodie kinda way but I find it boring and uninspired. If you consider "highly regarded" as how much they charge that's fine but that has to do with good business sense and has nothing to do with design.
   City joinery's work is much nicer, more refined with a real homage to the past from 1950's modern furniture to works by the shakers.
   I'd like to know your opinion? The reason people are giving you a hard time is that by asking these questions and not voicing an opinion it makes it seem like your just wanting to stir up trouble. You must have an opinion if you're asking about this stuff.
   Tom

1. 
   sapling | Jun 13, 2008 03:51am | #16

   I think their stuff is ok, bddw. Very expensive and not necessarily my taste. Too modern. The other two are more of the type of stuff I enjoy. City Joinery and http://www.atelierviollet.com/. When I was studying at College of the Redwoods these were places that were always talked about.-Sap

2. 
   BruceS | Jun 13, 2008 02:10am | #14

   They are doing something right !  At 60K a pop for a table.  They know how to market the extremely over wealthy people who don't have a clue as to what it's like to live in the real world.Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

3. 
   dkellernc | Jun 13, 2008 03:21pm | #17

   "their tables go for 60K."

   That really stretches credulity.  Their furniture is relatively simple to make, requires very little hand labor (mostly rectilinear, flat surfaces), and as near as I can tell from their website, not made of any especially expensive woods (such as ancient Kauri from New Zealand or something).

   Considering that you can get a superbly hand-carved, single-board, mahogany table reproduction from Irion for a lot less than that, I really have to wonder what they're putting in the client's complementary wine glass when they have an open house.

   And as some of the other posters have said, having a poor website doesn't preclude having a successful business, it just doesn't help.

5. 
   sykesville | Jun 14, 2008 12:10am | #19

   Good marketing is key to retail price when you have a decent product. Both of those companies sell fine work, and their marketing puts them in highly profitable zone. Aside from that, they're in one of the fashion capitals of the world. Lots of folks can make many of the same designs and pieces shown there. But do they have the know how and capital for that type of marketing? Most don't. I don't, which is why I'm on this website on a Friday afternoon. (hahahaha)